Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-06-16
BRIDGEPORT.
THE FIRE.

Other cities and localities have had their
cyclones snd disasters, bat it does seem strange
that our old town is SO peculiarly obnoxious to
fire Not long since the Nail City glass works
pretty well burned up; then came ] c. Dent i
Co.'s fire, succeeding their big burn out at the
time Of the food, and last Saturday at two
O'Clock p. M. the most disastrous of all the
conhagrations started in Nick Kuhn's old ice
house, completely DESTROYING three ice houses
and row of adjucent two-story dwellings; also
the property of Kuhn, and the Presbyterian
chureh-everything belonging to these prem
lses being effectually burned up, except the
organ of the church, pulpit furniture and libra
ries of the Sabbath school, and little of the
household affairs of the tenants of the DWELL
ings burned
The origin of the fire is unknown; but most
likely was from some cause within the ice
house-stump of cigar, for instance. The
theory that it originated from q spark of =
passing train we think untenable. The blaze
started on the east side of the buildings, and
soon enveloped the entire bunch of buildings,
and in an incredible short time all was in
ashes. A wonderful sight were the flames
leaping high in the air, shooting angrily like
demons tongue, high above and around the
church cupOla, quickly destroying it and its
large bell within, which fell TO the ground
molten mass.
DF ntn'o ala l. L.. Il,
saved by the timely arrival of an engine and
reel from Wheeling, under control of Chief
Dunning, who had been called over by Mayor
Junkins. Supt. Lawson, with his large bridge
force, responded promptly and did good service
The whole town was in imminent danger of
destruction from flying faggots of fire, many of
which were carried westward a mile, over the
tops of houses and stable and dropping in in
termediate yards. This new element of danger
was especially conspicuous in Kirkwsod, far
back. Hen. Koehnlien, Charley Kaufman and
Frank Woodmansee were heroes of the bucket
brigade, and worked in the heat till their faces
were scorched. Two engines on the c., L. l.
W. road kept the boys supplied with water from
a tank, while engines on the G. & P. were help
ing with their power.
Mr.. Kuhn's three ice houses were said to be
worth 1000, with an uncertain amount of ice
destroyed, while the tenement houses were
valued at $4,000 The remnant of the ice was
promptly put under cover. The dwellings we're
occupied by four familes-Samuel Watkins,
George Keely, Mr.. Wise and Charles Barahill.
The latter had just come in from long run
as conductor; was very weary, and was in a
sound sleep, with long purse with papers
and over $40 in it, with his vest, watch, etc.,
beneath his pillow. So sound asleep WAS he
that his arm was considerably burnt before he
was aware of danger. Suddenly he drew on
his clothes, including his vest, rushed down
stairs, then thinking of his pocket book, rushed
back to his room; found some presumed friends
and dis empty specket-bo0k. Some dastsrdly
thief, under the guise of friendship, had rsbbed
nim. Everything Charley had was burned or
stolen.
The church WAS insured for 81 500 in Colum- |,
Diana Mutual which covers its loss. Kuhn was |
insured in the German American and Franklin |
of Wheeling, for S ,666 each on ice |
houses, and $4,000 in equal parts between |
Columbia of Dayton and the German of Free |
port, Illinois. DR.. Cook was fully insured in |
he Amazon of Cincinnati. His loss 10 5000.
Mayor Junkins thanks, in the name of Bridge |
port, Chief Dunning and his men from Wheel |
ng, and Mr.. Jos. Lawson and his crew for their /
timely and efficient aid.
Almost without exception the wind prevails |
lown the creek every day in the year. Satur-
lay last was rare exception stiff breeze /
obtained up the creek, hence the increased |
LANCER.
The Methodists generously rendered the use
If their house to the Presbyterisns, who will,
however, doubtless meet in the rink. as the
Methodist church is too small for both con-
,regations. A new church will soon be built,
perhaps on the site of the old one.
An imminent danger of fire was little thought
IT, The creek bridge connects directly with
he burnt district, and across it is conveyed,
beneath its sidewalk, the large gas pipe, and
lad the bridge burned who can compute the
disaster of gas explosion.
The FIRE demonstrates the imperative neces-
,ity for an easy approach to the river-to the
,rcek won't de- What would we have done if /
he engine had not got standing room on the
opposite bank of the creek from the fire, and
remotely from it, Let there be, by council,
way opened up to the river, making it easy Of
access, before we are wiped out by big fire.
In view of our repeated recent experiences let |
and all things necessary for the
protection of our lives and property, be prompt
y done. The people demand it, and will ex-
Dect it. 1t should have been done long ago.